EFSA approves Bactocell for farmed fish

EFSA scientific panel recognises the efficacy of Lallemand’s probiotic in all fish species.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition announced that Bactocell (Pediococcus acidilactici MA 18/5M), the first ever probiotic to be approved by the European Union for use in aquaculture (salmonids and shrimps), has now received another positive opinion from the EFSA’s Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) for its use in all fish Species (1).

The positive opinion was accorded after scientific assessment of additional trial results demonstrating reduced deformities and improvement in mineralisation in fish as well as a review of the mode of action of Bactocell in aquaculture. The panel concluded that “Taking the data on seabass and salmonids together, Bactocell has the potential to reduce bone deformation in developing fish at the dose of 1 x 109 CFU/kg of complete feedingstuffs.”

Fish bone deformation represents a major challenge for fish farmers (in particular marine fish hatcheries), with financial consequences estimated to be up to 20-25M euros per year in the Mediterranean area only.

This is the third positive scientific opinion granted by EFSA for the use of Bactocell in complete feed for aquatic species, the first two having resulted in its authorisation for use in salmonids and shrimps. Dr Henri Durand, the Scientific Director of Lallemand Animal Nutrition comments ‘Obviously the three EFSA ‘positive opinions’ are attributable to the high quality and level of scientific documentation; resulting from long-term research and development and collaborations with academic and industrial partners’.